Chapter 30—Danger in Prosperity
Throughout the ages, riches and honor have been attended with
much peril to humility and spirituality. It is when a man is prospered,
when all his fellow men speak well of him, that he is in special danger.
Man is human. Spiritual prosperity continues only so long as man
depends wholly upon God for wisdom and for perfection of character.
And those who feel most their need of dependence upon God are
usually those who have the least amount of earthly treasure and human
honor on which to depend.
The Commendation of Man
There is danger in the bestowal of rich gifts or of words of com-
mendation upon human agencies. Those who are favored by the Lord
need to be on guard constantly, lest pride spring up and obtain the
supremacy. He who has an unusual following, he who has received
many words of commendation from the messengers of the Lord, needs
the special prayers of God’s faithful watchmen, that he may be shielded
from the danger of cherishing thoughts of self-esteem and spiritual
pride.
Never is such a man to manifest self-importance, or attempt to
act as a dictator or a ruler. Let him watch and pray, and keep his eye
single to the glory of God. As his imagination takes hold upon things
unseen, and he contemplates the joy of the hope that is set before
him,—even the precious boon of life eternal,—the commendation of
man will not fill his mind with thoughts of pride. And at times when
the enemy makes special efforts to spoil him by flattery and worldly
honor, his brethren should faithfully warn him of his dangers; for, if
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left to himself, he will be prone to make mistakes, and reveal human
frailties....
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